Author Archives: PSNS Secretary

1984 Social Record: Dr W H Finlay publishes Photographs ‘Heritage of Perth’

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Dr W H Findlay was a Consultant at PRI from 1948 to 1970 and President of both the PSNS and the Photographic Section. From the 1950s to the 1980s he amassed a huge collection of photographs of Perth’s townscape. More than 6000 of his prints are now stored in the A.K. Bell Library and many of those appear in his 1984 book, Heritage of Perth. Dr Findlay’s family have recently made his entire collection of over 25,000 photographs available to the PSNS.The photographs show Perth as a city in transition – from the old to the new.

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1967 100th Anniversary of PSNS

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‘The idea of planting a commemorative grove of trees on that part of Moncreiffe Island north of the railway bridge has also been put into effect. These trees, Scots Pines interplanted with a few Grey Alders and Golden Osiers, will hardly demonstrate the effectiveness of the conception until many years have passed, but when they reach maturity they will add a striking feature to Perth’s unique river scene at a point which at present looks bare and unattractive. Looking westwards towards the building in Tay Street which was the original museum and home of the Society, the grove will, moreover, become a permanent reminder to the people of Perth of the Society in their midst.’  PSNS journal (vol. 12).

The spot was considered most appropriate as it lies opposite the Society’s original museum in Tay Street. At one time this was an open grassed area, formerly the site of filter beds for Perth Corporation Waterworks. The PSNS planted the trees in 1967 to mark its centenary and “to enhance the visual aspect of the town centre”.  In 1981 a further three oak trees were planted in a ceremony to commemorate the late Allan W. Robson DA, who was chairman of the Botanical Section from its inception in 1957 until his death in January 1981. The southern part of the island is more developed, with the Perth Working Men’s Garden Association allotments and King James VI golf course.

Two Botanical Section Bulletins provide information on follow up:

http://www.psns.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2020/03/Perthshire-Society-of-Natural-Science-PSNS-Botanical-Section-Bulletin-42-20194.pdf

http://www.psns.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2017/09/Perthshire-Society-of-Natural-Science-PSNS-Botanical-Section-Bulletin-06-1982-Jun.pdf

View from the former farmhouse, Moncreiffe  Island, Perth looking towards site of old gasworks and former farmhouse.

1963 Ornithology Section hatches

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The study of birds has always been a major interest of the Society and many members and supporters donated bird skins for the museum’s collections during the Society’s first fifty years. The Ornithological Section was formed in 1963 by Valerie Thom, a well-known Scottish ornithologist and author of Birds in Scotland.

Section members recorded their local bird sightings and published the information in a regular bulletin until 2012. The bird records were submitted to local and national bird surveys such as wildfowl counts and the British Trust for Ornithology Bird Atlas. Members are now encouraged to make use of national recording forums such as the online BirdTrack.

The Section runs field trips and a winter lecture programme with contributions from outside experts and its own well-travelled members.

PSNS People 1940-1980

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Post war, the scope of science accelerated rapidly into highly specialised areas. Leading scientists gave talks at well attended meetings. Local people continued to explore and record, encouraged by the academics and practitioners who retired to Perthshire.  

James Menzies (1854 – 1945), Thomas McLaren (1873 – 1947), Peter K McLaren (1903 – 1963), Professor James Robert Matthews CBE, Allan Watt Robson (1916 – 1981)

 

1957 Botanical Section inaugurated

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The Botanical Section, established in 1957, continues the work begun by the Society in the nineteenth century of studying and recording the distribution of plants in the area. The tradition of regular field excursions continues to increase scientific knowledge and is an opportunity for members to learn identification skills and recording methods.

The plant data is added to national plant distribution projects and databases. The section works closely with the Botanical Society of Britain and Ireland which has collected plant records since 1836. Their national plant database holds over 35 million records. For example the data recorded by Alan Robson, a former section President, and that of other section members was included in the New Atlas of the British and Irish Flora, published in 2000. The distribution and abundance data gathered allows comparison with the past and the information is vital in developing new conservation plans for the future.